Knob construction for locks



N0v.3o,194s. L. J. KALwo Y 2,454,927

KNOB CONSTRUCTION FOR LOCKS Filed Feb. 2, 1945 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNI-TED STATES PATENT Fence KNOB CONSTRUCTIN' FOR LOCKS Ludwig'ii. Kalwo, Bronx,

assignments, to Keil Lock 60;. Inc.,

N. Y., assigner, by mesne Charles.-

Claims.

This invention relates to a knob construction forl door locks and the like.

One of. the objects ofv this invention is to.r provide a knob construction that will be inexpensive to fabricate, easy to assemblek tothe operating part of a. lock mechanism. and be strong and durable. Another object is to provide a knob construction of sheet metal: that Will be capable of manufacture byway of simple and inexpensive operations, easy to assemble, and yet have the strength, durability, and appearance of a knob construction fabricated according to prior known, expensive, sheet-metall drawing; operations. Another object is. tosirnplify the construction ofv lock knobs and their assembly to the operating memberxof a lock. Anotherobject isito: provide a construction of the above-mentioned character, in the fabrication of which simple and' .inexpensive punch-press operations maybe utilized. Another object-is to provide a practical method. for fabricating a lock knob construction that may be efficiently and economicallycarried onin'practice; Another object lis to provide a method of the just-mentioned characterA in which finishing operations includingmilling, canibedependably'ieliminated'. Other` objeCtsWilTbe-in part obvious orv in part pointed:

v out-hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, consists' in the features of: construction, combinations ofel'ementsg.

arrangements of' parts, and in the several steps Fig; l is a bottom eievationofthe completed.

lock-` knob, ready for assemblyto the. parts of a lock casing;-

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.Av as shown: along the lin-e 2-2 ofFe.' 1i;

Fig. 3 is awcentral, vertical, sectional View as seenfaiong: the-lines13--3 of Figs. 1` and'Z'.;V

Fig-t4" is a fragmentary elevation. of `aflook casing; largely broken avv-ay and with par-tsr omitted, in order better to show the relationship ofl assembly `between the` knob and Vthe bolt-operating member ofthe lock;

Fig,"` 5` is a. perspective view of one of several parts that make- Vupy the side or sha-nk por-tion of theknob;

Fig. 6'. 15am-elevation of a ilair'platef. that is prefenably. employediintthe knobfconstuctiong andi Fig. 7 isla centra-1, vertical, sectional view lshowing .the relationship of the parts when assembled to-thelock ca-singandv lock mechanism, and showing-also anadditionally assembly element which may be loption-ally employed.

As conducive toa clearer understanding of certain features of my invention, reference may 4first be made to Fig. 4 and also to the fact that lock casings, particularly in locks oi the rim type, are provided with a knob so that the `bolt may be actuated' manually from the inside of the door as distinguished fromactuating the bolt by Way of a key from the outside of thedoor, and that such knobs are rotatably mounted in a wail of the lock casing and have internally .secured to them a bolt-controlling or bolt-operating member, which may take any desired or suitable form and which, ink

one suitable form, is shown in Fig. 4 and designated by the reference character IB; of the lockA casing l l, only a portion of the wall l2 is shown in Fig. Ll;..that beingthe wall by which the knob is tor be rotatably carried. The bolt and its mechanism that coacts withthemember Ill, hereinafter reierredto as a foam member, may take any suitable form `and are not shown. According to prior. practices, such knobs, the handle portions of which are usually elongated or oval, have been manufactured out ofa single piece of sheet met-al bysuccessive steps which-comprise drawing andl annealing operations, followed by finishing opera-- tions oi" various kinds, including the milling `of a slot in -a-s-ide wall oi the tubular shank portion, Ainto-Which is tobe received a key-like member or. lugjofy the cam-'member sothat the latter may be non-rotatably engaged by the knob shank. Thesefoperationsare long, drawn-out, and costly, and a dominant yaim of `this invention is to produce a betterknob'by steps which avoid such costly operations-afs those-above noted.

Accordingly, i provide a number of sheet metal parts soconstructed that they may be readily and inexpensively-.produced byl simple punch-presseperations. Thus I provide `a cap member I3, which is preferably oval'in general configuration, having yusually a flat central area 93a, usually also oval in shape, andswhichby the same punch-press and `die' operation, may have impressed in its surface suitable lettering or .a suitable design, thus to function as a manufacturers nameplate or as ornamentationf, as is indicated' at I3", and from this flat portion. or area 13a the sheet metal `stamping shown4 in Fig. 3, that being a section .along the minor axis, to ypresent an internal :curved surface or portion I3C .that merges into the upstanding or vertical peripherally-extending flange Ie.

By suitable dies, operable again in inexpensive and speedy punch-press operation, I form out of sheet metal several side sections, all preferably constructed and shaped to be identical, and in Fig. 5 one of such side sections is shown in perspective, where the shank and bearing portions of the knob are, in accordance with my invention, to be made up of two separate pieces or sections, that number being more suitable where the cap portion is to be oval and, hence, it Will be understood that making up the side portion of the knob out of two separate sections is set forth as illustrative and that any number other than two may be employed within the spirit and scope of my invention. The side section shown inFig. 5, and generally indicated by the reference character S, is stamped and shaped out of a suitable blank to provide a half-cylindrical shank portion I 5, which merges inwardly to form a frusto-conicai portion I6, which in turn terminates in a half-cylindrical portion I? which at its midpoint peripherally has cutl or stamped out of it enough metal to form a slot I8 that extends part-way of the length of the half-cylindrical portion Il; at itslower terminus the half-cylindrical shank portion merges outwardly and downwardly, in suitably graceful curves, to form the portion .19, which, however, has its peripheral edge shaped to conform to half of the oval or ellipse, divided along the axis that is dened substantially at the junction of the curved internal face I3c (see Fig. 3) of the cap member I3 with the straight or Vertical, internal, oval wall of the ange I3e. The portions 20, I9, I5, i6, and i'l each subtend an angle of 180 degrees where the side or shank portion of the knob is to be made of two pieces, as in the illustration; these portions are all coaxial, and the edge face 2li, at one end preferably extends at right angles tothe common axis. The edge faces 2l and 22 of the part S preferably fall in a plane in which lies also the common axis of the various portions.

`Foruuality production, any desired large number of such sections S may thus be inexpensively and economically made in simple punch-press operations, and any two of such parts S complement each other and can be abutted one against the other, with the vertical edge 22 of each matching and engaging the vertical edge 2l of the other. In determining, therefore, into how many pieces the side part of the'knob is to be made up of, the theoretical or ultimate whole shank portion is preferably divided along planes of symmetry so that the same dies produce identical or complemental parts. n i

In the illustrative embodiment, two parts S1 and S2 are placed together, with the vertical edge face 22 of the one engaging and matching the` edge face 2l of the other, and, as a unit, they are set downwardly into the stamped cap member I3 (see Fig. 3), entering the latter to an extent limited by the downwardly and inwardly curved surface ISC, which, being oval in horizontal crosssection-though variable, according to where the horizontal section is taken-will always somewhere match the complete oval that is made up bythe two bottom edges'ilof the two assembled side sections S, thus also aiding in preventing relativegvertical displacement between the two temporarily assembled side sections S1 and S2 of Fig. 3, whence the flange I3emay be peripherally bent over and inwardly onto the downwardly and outwardly flaring, lower peripheral part of the portion I9.

Preferably, however, I first insert into the cap member I 3 a flat, oval plate 24 (see also Fig. 6), which is a simple, hat stamping having an oval periphery relatively accurately matching the oval periphery which the two lower edges 20 of the sections S1 and S2 define when they are put together, and in Fig. 3 this preferred insertion of the plate 2t is shown. Ihev plate 2d thus forms a dat, rigid seat upon which to receive the two edges 20, 28 of the parts S1 and S2, plate 24 itself being receivable into the cap I3 to a suitable depth, preferably limited, as above indicated, by that portion of the curved surface ISC where it merges into the vertical flange ite The plate 24 can, in effect, under the subsequent forces applied, somewhat wedge itself into the cap I3 and always provide a flat seat for the portions S1 and S2 so that they do not become misaligned vertiv cally, and, by this preferred use of the plate 24,

possible variations or imperfections, particularly in the curvatures ofthe cap I3, can be prevented from tending to misalign the sections S1 and S2, as might be the case if their respective lower edge portions were directly to engage the curved surface portions of the cap I3.

With the parts assembled as shown in Fig. 3 and all held coaxially, the flange i3e is forced inwardly and downwardly against the downwardly and outwardly curved portions of the portion I9 of the assembled parts S1 and S2, the flangingover being preferably carried throughout the entire oval, peripheral extent of the assembled parts, as is indicated in Figs. l, 2, and 4, where the flange lSe isr shown in substantially its final position. During this operation the plate 2A not only aids in preventing relative vertical misalignment between the parts S1 and S2, but also forms practically an anvil against which the lower ilaring portions of the sections S1 and S2 are clamped by the iiange ISe, and the plate 24 aids in preventing undesired vdistortion of the parts during this clamping operation, particularly Where relatively light-weight sheet metals are employed.

The above-described clamping action is also, throughout the flange I 3e, in a radially inward direction, thus in effect not only clamping and holding the two parts S1 and S2 tightly together, but also neatly centering the assembled parts S1 and S2 with respect to the cap I3. A dependable junction of the two separate parts S1 and S2 is effected with the cap element I3, and a dependably strong unitary assembly results.

The coaction of the parts in effecting the abovedescribed clamping action thus results in a single light but strong structure, in which the two shank portions I5 of the two side portions are neatly matched together, giving the appearance of a neat external cylindrical surface except for the perceptible vertical abutting junctions along the mating'vertical edges 2l, 22, and in a similar manner the two conical portions I6, each of degrees extent, and the half-cylindrical portions VI complement each other and present neat and smooth external frusto-conical and cylindrical surfaces of 360 degrees extent and of true roundness, suitable toform bearing surfaces for mounting in the lock casing; these surfaces are interrupted only by the vertical and minute crevices formed by the abutting vertical edges 2I-22. As better seen in Figs. l, 2, and 3,' the bearing portion I'I-II also has diametrically opposed slots I8-I8,`and, with the above-mentioned vertical crevices or planes of cleavage, the upper end of the bearing portion I'I-I'l is divided into four segments, indicated in Fig. 1 at lla, Ilb, IIc, and

Hd. The device is now ready to be assembled to the lock mechanism and casing.

The front wall l2 of the lock casing Il, as is indicated. in the broken lines' in Fig. 2, is provided with a hole lila to take the bearing portion ll--l l, and the hole is provided with a countersink lfb at an angle substantially to receive therein the truste-conical portion lt-l6- When so related to the casing wall I2, a substantial portion of the bearing part l'l-il, including the opposed slots l8-l8, projects beyond the inner face of the wall i2, and it is onto this portion that the cam lill is then sleeved or slipped, the cam il) having a hole lila to receive that portion and having at least one lug llb projecting radially inwardly from the wall of the hole Ita; the lug lb is receivable into one of the slots lli, functioning with the latter as a key and keyway, and preferably also serving, by bottoming in the vertical slot i8, as a stop to limit the extent to which the cam lll-indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2approaches the inside face of the Ycasing wall l2. Thereupon the short lengths (see Fig. 2) of the segments lla, llb,-l'l, and l'ld that project above the cam member lli are, by a suitable tool, bent or spun radially `outwardly into the general relationship shown in Fig. 4, and against the upper face of the cam member It, thus rigidly securing the latter to the knob structure. This bending-over operation is facilitated in that several (four, in the illustrative embodiment) parts of the protruding bearing portion are available forrgreater ease yof being bent over into clamping engagement with the member ill. The latter, moreover, is in non rotatable engagement with the knob structure, due to the coaction of the lug lilb with the slot i8, andthe latter parts also insure that the. ovalshaped knob and the cam lli are assembled in the desired relation, as indicated in Fig. 4, the cam lll being in a position corresponding to the at rest position from which, by turning the eX- ternal knob in either direction, the cam I0 is in turn turned to actuate the bolt mechanism.

Not only is the cam il! thus dependably assembled to the built-up knob structure, but also the cam in effect completes the assembly of the elements of the knob structure itself, in that the hub portion of the cam lll, snugly clamped by the overturned elements lla, I'ib, llc, and |191, thus functions as a strong collar above the extreme end portion of the complemental bearing parts l'i-il to hold the parts S1 and S2 tightly together at end thereof remote from the cap element i3,

In such assembly the upstanding parts, illustratively four in number-out of which the overturned elements lle, l'lb, llc, and l'ld are formedsubstantially mutually sustain each other, at their adjacent vertical contacting faces, against radial inward movement, their arcuate or curved hori- Zonta] cross-sections giving them good rigidity and resistance against bending radially either outwardly or inwardly, and the key portion or portionssuch as the lug lllb, at the cam illcan take part in such coactions.

If desired, and after completion of the assembly as the latter is shown in Fig. ll--and particularly where the cam may be provided with only one key lug-I may insert a cylindrical element 25, as shown in Fig. 7, into the round or cylindrical open end of the assembled knob construction, preferably proportioning the member 25 so it may be entered with a relatively tight, friction nt and thereby also hold itself in assembled position, and it may be provided externally with aii'ange orlp 25a to limit the extent of its entry, and preferably also to` overlie theoverturned parts Vla, 11b, llc, and lld and thus also resist unbending of the latter.

The member 25 thus supplements the abovedescribed resistance of the opstanding parts of the hub portion to yradial inward movement and may coact with the cam lll to clamp these parts radially therebetween. It preferably has a hole 25h extending therethrough to accommodate, when necessary, .the projecting portion of the key bar that usually extends from the key mechanism to another cam `conflpanion to and coaxial with the cam lll, and thus does not interfere with that function of the open-ended knob structure. Member 25 may bernade up in any suitable way and may be also of sheet metal. In making it hollow, it also has some resiliency when pressed home and thus can better coact to hold itself in position.

Itwill thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention. a lock knob construction and method of making it and assembling it to the lock structure, in which the various objects hereinbefore noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. The individual parts are of simple and inexpensive fabrication, assembly thereof may be effected by 'simple and inexpensive operations, including also the step of completing the assembly of the knob parts by securing thereto the cam elements of the lock construction. Moreover, it is possible to avoid certain heretofore necessary finishing operations, such as the step of milling a slot to receive the lug lub of the cam, since I am enabled to 'form a slot by a simple punch-pressfoperation and, where desired, I may, in View of the complemental slots l8-l8, also provide the cam member with two diametrically opposed lugs, one for each slot, thus to achieve also a nicely balanced assembly of cani to knob shank, particularly where the lug is to bottom in the slot and to be clamped thereagainst by the overturned end portions of the knob shank.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A knob construction which is oval at the hand gripping end comprising a plurality of independent identical sheet-metal stampings, complemental along their longitudinal axes to each other, bent to an arcuate, semi-tubular shape, said stampings having abutting side edges and forming, when assembled, a hollow shank which at one end is circular in cross-section, the end edges at the other end falling in substantially a single plane, and a cap element at said last mentioned end having a peripheral flange portion encasing said end edges of said stampings and by which said stampings are held against separation from each other and against relative axial displacement.

2. A knob construction which is oval at the hand gripping end comprising a, plurality of independent identical sheet-metal stampings, complemental along their longitudinal aXes to each other, bent to an arcuate, semi-tubular shape, said stampings having rectilinear, abutting side edges and forming, when assembled, a hollow 7 shank which at one end is circular in cross-section, the end edges at the other end falling in substan-tially a single plane, and a cap element at said last mentioned end having a peripheral flange portion encasing said end edges of said stampings and by which said stampings are held against separation from `each other and against relative axial displacement, said cap element having means falling in a single plane to form a seat against which said end edges of said stampings are aligned and against which they are held bysaid peripheral flange portion.

3. A knob construction as claimed in claim 2, in which said cap element has internal concave Walls and in which said seat-forming means comprises a plate member of oval contour resting against said concave walls and having said end edges seated against its exposed face.

4. A knob construction for latches which is formed with a hand gripping end and a trunnioned end comprising a plurality of independent, identical sheet metal stampings complemental to each other along their longitudinal axes, bent to an arcuate, semi-tubular shape, said stampings having abutting side' edges and forming, when assembled, a hollow shank which, at one end, is tubularly formed in cross section, the end edges at the other end falling in substantially a. single plane, and a cap element on said last mentioned end having a peripheral flange portion encasing said end edges of said stampings and by which said stampings are held against separation from each other and against relative axial displacement.

5. A knob construction for latches which has a hand gripping end and a bearing end comprising a plurality of independent, identical sheet metal stampings complemental -to each other along their longitudinal axes, bent to an arcuate, semi-tubular shape, said stampings having abutting side edges and forming, when assembled, a hollow shank which at one end is tubular in cross section, the end edges at the othei` end falling in substantially a single plane, and a cap element on said last mentioned end having a peripheral flange portion encasing said end edges of said stampings and by which said stampings are held against separation from each other and against relative displacement, and a collar engaging Ithe shank adjacent the first end and cooperating with the cap element to restrain separation in rotation in the bearing.

LUDWIG J. KALWO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 192,586 Lewis July 3, 1877 354,607 Matthews Dec. 21, 1886 491,292 Matthews Feb. 7, 1893 590,781 Waygandt Sept. 28, 1897 732,973 Turner July 7, 1903 812,871 Papenfoth Feb. 20, 1906 1,137,800 Shaw May 4,1915 1,148,549 Sparks Aug. 3, 1915 1,483,435 Hammer Feb. 12, 1924 1,532,765 Ledin Apr. 7, 1925 1,605,123 Marple et al Nov. 2, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country r Date 28,433 Great Britain 1903 489,594 Germany Sept. 18, 1927 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,454,927. November 30, 1948.

LUDWIG J. KALWO It is hereby oertied that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 3, line 44, for the Word quality read quantity;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of April, A. D. 1949.

[NAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssoner of Patents. 

